08/03/2023  Happy Valley  Race 5

FOREVER FRIENDS was fractious in the barriers prior to the start being effected which resulted in SIGHT HERO, which was positioned in the adjacent stall, then also becoming fractious as the start was effected. As a consequence, SIGHT HERO reared at the start and lost ground. CASA SACRED jumped awkwardly, shifted in and made contact with the right side of its barrier. DIAMOND FOREVER jumped awkwardly, shifted out and bumped EAGLE RUN. From the outside barriers, SUNNY AND GOLD and ABOVE ALL were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. E UNIVERSE raced keenly throughout the early and middle stages. Due to the moderate pace in the middle stages, DIAMOND FOREVER, which was having its first race start tonight, travelled keenly and near the 900 Metres and again near the 700 Metres got its head up when being checked to avoid the heels of WIND SPEEDER. SIGHT HERO, which was following, was steadied to avoid the heels of DIAMOND FOREVER at the 700 Metres. CASA SACRED raced keenly in the middle stages. SUNNY AND GOLD also raced keenly in the middle stages and passing the 800 Metres shifted out when being restrained from the heels of TIMESTORM. Passing the 400 Metres, FOREVER FRIENDS lay out towards the heels of DIAMOND FOREVER and as a consequence was steadied. CASA SACRED, which was following, was steadied to avoid FOREVER FRIENDS. SUPER VINCE lay out over the final 100 Metres. Near the 50 Metres, SIGHT HERO shifted out and brushed SUNNY AND GOLD. EAGLE RUN raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. When questioned regarding SUPER VINCE racing in a more forward position tonight, K Teetan stated that in his pre-race discussions with Trainer F C Lor, they had identified a lack of speed in the race and for this reason he was given the option to go forward. He added that with CALL ME TEDDY, an expected on-pace runner, positioned to his outside, he anticipated that this may also result in SUPER VINCE being assisted in obtaining a forward position. He said when SUPER VINCE commenced well tonight, he elected to take up a forward position but settled closer to the pace than he had anticipated, particularly with the race in the early stages being run below standard. After the race, C L Chau (DIAMOND FOREVER) reported that his mount made the Home Turn awkwardly and blundered soon after straightening. Also after the race, the Veterinary Surgeon reported that FOREVER FRIENDS was lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, FOREVER FRIENDS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of SIGHT HERO immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer’ which had previously been reported. SIGHT HERO, SUPER VINCE and E UNIVERSE were sent for sampling.